Ratcheting adjustment for supporting shower structures

ABSTRACT

An improved height adjustment mechanism for showering devices that are attached to the shower stem. The improved mechanism features a simple, locking ratchet clamp that can be easily released, adjusted up or down and reliably locked.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application claims priority to U.S. Provisional Patent ApplicationSer. No. 60/512,351 filed on Oct. 17, 2003, incorporated herein byreference in its entirety.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

The present invention relates to an improved mechanism to allow for theready adjustment of the height of a pendant shower structure.

2. Description of Related Art

It is well known in the art to attach showering devices, such asassemblies of multiple showerheads and various moving and water sprayingstructures to the existing stem pipe supplying water to the standardshower plumbing system. Devices have been hung on open hooks; they havebeen threaded directly onto the stem or clamped with various devices tothe stem. Because of the differences in the heights of people using ashower, however, the hanging heights of the showering devices oftenrequire adjustment. These adjustments have been made, with somedifficulty, using screw clamps and angled joints. There is, however,need for an adjusting system to change the height of a shower devicethat is simple and easy to use, which allows ready adjustments evenwhile in use and which precludes the need for tools.

OBJECT AND SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

It is an object of the present invention to overcome the shortcomings ofthe prior art mentioned above. These and other objects are achieved bythe present invention described herein.

The present invention features an improved height adjustment mechanismfor showering appliances that are attached to the shower stem. Theimproved mechanism features a simple, locking ratchet clamp that can beeasily released, adjusted up or down and reliably relocked.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The present invention is more fully understood by reference to thefollowing detailed description of an illustrative embodiment with thedrawings identified below.

FIG. 1 is an illustration of the preferred embodiment of a showeringdevice that employs the improved height adjustment mechanism.

FIG. 2 shows a partially sectioned schematic illustration of thepreferred embodiment of the showering device, illustrating theadjustment device retracted and extended.

FIG. 3 is an enlarged detail of spring-loaded ratchet clamps engagingthe rack in the highest position.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

Referring to FIG. 1, the present invention is illustrated in applicationas a component of an adjustable showering device (1). A retractable rack(2) connects the attachment clamp (3), which is clamped onto a standardshower stem, to the showering device (1). The rack is covered andretained by cover plate (5).

FIG. 2 illustrates a partial section of the preferred embodiment of theshower assembly (1), the cover plate (5) has been removed to show thenovel ratchet adjustment mechanism (2). The two views illustrate theadjustment rack completely retracted and fully extended.

FIG. 3 is an enlargement of the preferred embodiment of the shower bathassembly (1) showing the spring-loaded ratchet clamps (6) engaged withthe adjustable rack (2). The clamps are biased by metallic orelastomeric springs (7).

Depressing the two clamps (6) toward the center of the device releasestheir engagement with the adjustable rack (2). The rack can then belifted up to any engagement position available along the multiple stops(10) on the rack (2). The weight of the rack locks the clamps (6) intothe rack at each stop. The taper angles (9) which lead into each stop(10) along the rack allows the spring-loaded clamps to ride up to thenext locking position without requiring the clamps to be depressed. Thusthe rack can be lifted up easily from a lower position, but lock at eachstep against falling downward. The rack is retained, finally, by a fixedstop (8) at the extreme low position.

While a preferred embodiment of the invention has been herein disclosedand described, it is understood that various modifications can be madewithout departing from the scope of the invention.

1. A ratcheting mechanism for supporting a shower structure comprising:a member adapted to connect said shower structure to a shower stem; aplurality of teeth along said member; and a pawl fixed to said showerstructure and adapted to engage said plurality of teeth to prevent saidshower structure from moving downward.
 2. A ratcheting mechanismaccording to claim 1, further comprising a lever extending from saidpawl adapted to selectively disengage said pawl from said teeth,enabling said shower structure to move downward.
 3. A ratchetingmechanism according to claim 2, further comprising a spring adjacentsaid lever adapted to bias said pawl against said teeth.
 4. A ratchetingmechanism according to claim 2, wherein each of said plurality of teethis tapered inward toward the bottom of each tooth and includes a stop atthe bottom of each tooth to enable said shower structure to selectivelymove upward and lock at each tooth without said pawl being disengagedfrom said teeth.
 5. A ratcheting mechanism according to claim 2, furthercomprising a protrusion at the bottom of said member to prevent saidshower structure from moving beyond said protrusion.
 6. A ratchetingmechanism according to claim 1, further comprising a plate adapted tocover said member.
 7. A ratcheting mechanism according to claim 1,wherein said member further comprises a clamp adapted to secure saidmember to said shower stem.